ENGROSSED
H. B. 2163
(By Delegate Osborne)
[Introduced February 19, 1997; referred to the
Committee on Roads and Transportation.]
A BILL to amend and reenact section nine, article seven, chapter
seventeen-c of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine
hundred thirty-one, as amended, relating to prohibiting
passing in a center turn lane.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That section nine, article seven, chapter seventeen-c of the
code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as
amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 7. DRIVING ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY, OVERTAKING AND
PASSING, ETC.
§17C-7-9. Driving on roadways laned for traffic.
Whenever any roadway has been divided into two or more
clearly marked lanes for traffic the following rules in addition
to all others consistent herewith shall apply:
(a) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable
entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such
lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement
can be made with safety.
(b) Upon a roadway which is divided into three lanes a
vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane which is clearly
marked as a left turn lane which is clearly marked as a left turn
lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle where the
roadway is clearly visible and such center lane is clear of
traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for a left turn
or where such center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to
traffic moving in the direction the vehicle is proceeding and is
signposted to give notice of such allocation.
(c) Official signs may be erected directing slow-moving
traffic to use a designated lane or designating those lanes to be
used by traffic moving in a particular direction regardless of
the center of the roadway and drivers of vehicles shall obey the
directions of every such sign.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to prohibit passing in a
center turn lane.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken
from the present law, and underscoring indicates new language
that would be added.